Page 104 of Bravo

“Do I?”

“You do.” Lani loops her arm through mine. “But I’m here to help you get through the door.”

“I love her.”

“She loves you.”

I take a deep breath.God, please grant me courage.Reaching forward, I pull the door open and walk inside with Lani. A band plays up on a makeshift stage while people dance on the floor in front of them.

The potluck is set up on tables across the event space while more tables line the walls.

Riley is dancing with Betty Phillips, a woman of about sixty, the two of them laughing happily, while Dylan, Elliot, and Tucker are all seated at a table, eating with Mom.

I spot Patrick and Melissa, Kennedy’s parents, on the dance floor as well, smiling and holding each other as they spin around and around. Cillian, the veterinarian who helped Kennedy, is even dancing with Patricia Gorden, a woman who owns the local dance studio.

I’m scanning the room for Kennedy when she comes into view. Wearing a beautiful white dress that falls to her knees, cowgirl boots, and a jean jacket, she looks stunning. Absolutelyperfect. Her hair has been curled softly, her lips painted in soft pink, and she throws her head back and laughs at something my dad says. He’s currently leading her around the dance floor.

The song ends, and after giving her a hug, he heads back toward the table. She turns, and her gaze lands on me. A wide smile spreads across her face.

“Go get her,” Lani urges, pulling her arm free and giving me a little shove.

I take a deep breath. I can do this. Right?

“Hey, stranger,” Kennedy greets, lifting onto her tiptoes and kissing me softly.

“You look beautiful.”

“Why thank you. You clean up nice too.” She cocks her head to the side. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute? Please?”

“Sure thing.” She links her fingers with mine, offers Cillian and her parents a quick wave then leads me toward the door. As soon as her back is turned, her dad gives me a thumbs up and a big grin while mouthing the words, “You’ve got this.”

Oh, I hope I do.

We head up the stairs and out onto the terrace. Fairy lights are draped over us like stars glittering in the night.

The music has started back up and is drifting upstairs, a slow song that makes for a wonderful backdrop.

“Want to dance?”

“We could have danced down there.” She laughs but loops her arm over my neck anyway. I place my hand on her hip, keeping my other hand in hers, and we start to move.

“But down there, we weren’t alone.”

“True.” She rests her head against my chest, and I hold onto her, moving slowly and enjoying every moment.

“I love you,” I tell her.

She pulls back. “I love you too.”

“I can’t tell you how many nights I prayed for this. For what we have.” I spin her gently then stop moving and take her other hand in mine. “You are everything to me, Kennedy.”

“You’re everything to me too,” she says softly.

I release her hands then reach into my pocket for the box before dropping to one knee.

Kennedy’s eyes go wide and fill with tears. She covers her mouth and stares down at me.

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